Puna man dies of crash injuries 01-13-03

A 41-year-old Puna man injured in a single-car accident last week died of his injuries over the weekend after being flown to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.

The victim, identified as Boye Paradis, of a Nanawale Estates address, was pronounced dead at the Honolulu hospital at 2:56 p.m. Saturday (January 11, 2003).

Paradise was injured about 9 p.m. the previous Thursday when his 1987 Honda Accord, heading north on the Volcano Highway (Highway 11) in the Mountain View area, ran off the road and crashed into a utility pole. Paradis, suffering from severe head injuries, was taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated, and then flown to Queen’s in Honolulu.

Investigators said it appeared that Paradis was not wearing his seat belt and that alcohol and speed may have been factors in the accident. Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing the investigation into the accident and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Paradis’ death was the second traffic-related fatality so far this year, compared to none at the same time last year.